Primary Health Centres (PHC) are the cornerstone of rural healthcare. Primary health centres and their sub-centres are supposed to meet the health care needs of rural population. Each primary health centre covers a population of 1,00,000 and is spread over about 100 villages. A Medical Officer, Block Extension Educator, one female Health Assistant, a compounder, a driver and laboratory technician look after the PHC. It is equipped with a jeep and necessary facilities to carry out small surgeries.
The PHCs are established and maintained by the State Governments under the Minimum Needs Programme (MNP) and Basic Minimum Services Programme (BMS). At present 14 paramedical and other staff support a Medical Officer. A PHC acts as a referral unit for 6 Sub Centres. It has 4 - 6 beds for patients. The activities of Primary Health Centres involve curative, preventive, primitive and Family Welfare Services. There are 23236 PHCs functioning as on September 2005 in the country as compared to 23109 in September 2004.
Here is a list of local level health centres in a few States of India -
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